KCRag Forum

beautyfromashes wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2020 1:37 pm I’m great with the walking, but would prefer to see animals while I do it. Putting the zoo straddled on a huge cliff and train line means there is a huge disconnect from one part of the zoo to the other. It also makes it very difficult for those with disabilities and children.

The separation is probably my favorite part as well as the distance between exhibits.

From stroller to their teens my kids never had a problem getting around the zoo. Recently the zoo has been upgrading the walkways to better serve those with disabilities and partnered with Variety Club to create the new disability friendly playground in a former underutilized area between the hippos and the African wild dog exhibits. The boat drops visitors off very close to this new playground. Our strategy has generally been to either walk or take the tram over to Africa and definitely ride the tram back up the hill to the main tram station. With the new tram stop at the revamped African elephant exhibit, we will no longer merely wave to the elephants but will be able to get off the tram at the elephants before re-boarding to continue to Africa.

I like the train and i like the tram.

Let's imagine there's a major new exhibit in the valley

Add a train stop near the Tropics house.
Add a fourth tram stop near the train maintenance building.

As mentioned in an earlier post, aquarium planned for Valley. Used to be a train stop near Tropics and Beaks & Feet—should be reinstated, especially if aquarium does happen. Not sure about need for a tram stop near the train maintenance building with a stop already underway at the revamped elephant exhibit, which would also serve the proposed aquarium.

Major KC Fan wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2020 10:17 pm From stroller to their teens my kids never had a problem getting around the zoo. Recently the zoo has been upgrading the walkways to better serve those with disabilities and partnered with Variety Club to create the new disability friendly playground in a former underutilized area between the hippos and the African wild dog exhibits. The boat drops visitors off very close to this new playground. Our strategy has generally been to either walk or take the tram over to Africa and definitely ride the tram back up the hill to the main tram station. With the new tram stop at the revamped African elephant exhibit, we will no longer merely wave to the elephants but will be able to get off the tram at the elephants before re-boarding to continue to Africa.

I would love to see the train updated and expanded to Africa. I am thinking of a second route that replaces the Tram while also continueing on to the Meerkat area.

That would be nice but there may be several issues:

Can the train use the bridge going over to Africa? If not, could get very expensive for a new bridge over the Blue River & train tracks below

The tram is larger & provides more space for strollers, etc.

Train would have to be larger & more disabled friendly

Trams allow for more flexibility to meet visitor traffic as they do now, as more trams are added on busier days.

The master plan I’ve seen in the past does expand the train, but further north through Australia, opening up potential exhibit space north of the current Australia & Asian areas of the zoo. Maybe a major Asian expansion could go in that area as our current Asian area is fairly limited.

Major KC Fan wrote: ↑Wed Mar 04, 2020 11:04 pm That would be nice but there may be several issues:

Can the train use the bridge going over to Africa? If not, could get very expensive for a new bridge over the Blue River & train tracks below

The tram is larger & provides more space for strollers, etc.

Train would have to be larger & more disabled friendly

Trams allow for more flexibility to meet visitor traffic as they do now, as more trams are added on busier days.

The master plan I’ve seen in the past does expand the train, but further north through Australia, opening up potential exhibit space north of the current Australia & Asian areas of the zoo. Maybe a major Asian expansion could go in that area as our current Asian area is fairly limited.

Very good point. I think that the train could probably take the bridge. I agree that it should probably be a downgrade on comfort + space but it would defininetly be an upgrade in speed and would allow you to drop visitors off farther into the park. More trains could probably be added but I think you make a good point there as well. This is really just a pipe dream. My KC Zoo Casino&hotel idea on the other hand......

Ha! Now that just might bring in some revenue- but where would they put all those smokers???

zoo also needs more beer sold - best part of the san diego zoo IMO

We were just there on Sunday and stuck to the old side. It feels like the zoo is unfinished, and I know a lot of the empty spots used to have animals.

A small exhibit out the lower door of the penguins that the train can see into.
It's pair next to the tropics house.
At the old ape house of course
Behind the newish playground near the barn

That's four places that wouldn't impact the natural park-like feel. Most of the buildings would go into the old core which should be dense with exhibits.

TrolliKC wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:39 am zoo also needs more beer sold - best part of the san diego zoo IMO

the zoo needs more food sold. We stopped being able to count on the cafe next to the giraffes being open.
there used to be one at the elephants that closed a long time ago
there's a cart with something out by the lions I haven't managed to catch open in years

the new central cafe was a huge step up but the zoo is missing out on a lot of money by not finding more ways to sell

Ideally those spaces will be filled in at some point but again it’s a question of monetary resources. Food options & sites do need to be expanded/reopened for both convenience and to generate more revenue. I do know that staffing is sometimes a problem since many positions are seasonal and need to cover weekends & holidays, always big attendance days at the zoo.

We try to support the zoo by joining FOTZ and providing extra monetary support when we can. Every little bit helps, like rounding up on purchases to support the zoo. It’s also fun to participate in events like Brew at the Zoo and Jazzoo, though Jazzoo is not at a price point that some people can afford. There are lots of other ways to support the zoo like fulfilling departmental wish list items, special events and getting the education department involved in your community.

I was waiting to pick up our membership cards and heard a guy buying one. He gave a donation and the woman helping him commented they don't get many donations any more.

RFP for large zoo project is out. Word is that this project will be around $75-100 million.

"The new Aquarium building will be approximately 60,000 square feet and/or 600,000 gallons of water. B. The new Aquarium building will accommodate approximately 30-40 exhibits ranging in size from 100 gallons each to two primary exhibits of approximately 400,000 gallons each. The building will include salt water and fresh water. C. The desired date for Grand Opening of this new Aquarium is July 1, 2023. D. The primary goal of this project is to show numerous aquatic species from many biomes found throughout the world.
The architectural team has already been hired and we have just completed the Schematic Design phase. Construction for the project is scheduled to begin March 1, 2021 with completion of the project and opening on July 1, 2023. A schedule is attached for your review. An Owner's Representative has already been hired."

This will be a good addition to the zoo as it will provide a strong draw for cold weather visits. Zoo revenue is much lower in the cold weather months. The operating costs will probably be quite expensive so hopefully the economic study made this project viable. That being said, there are still major renovations that need to be addressed, especially in Africa. The elephant exhibit is a great start, but the hippo, crocs, etc. could really use an update for both public viewing and operations behind the scenes. The lowered revenues due to COVID-19 haven’t helped, as with most institutions.

The comparison vs. the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha regarding their aquarium shows that the new aquarium will be slightly smaller overall but not all that much. Competition with the Sea Life aquarium in Crown Center is sort of like comparing apples to oranges as the scale and types of exhibits look to be fairly different. As I understand it the aquarium at the KC Zoo will be part of the regular admission fee (maybe that will increase?). I look at Sea Life as a short investment of “tourist time” vs. the zoo as an all-day or at least 1/2 day experience. For local residents a yearly membership makes the most sense as you can make multiple visits that easily increase your membership value. For out of town guests that would be making a one time or less visit the increased cost should be figured as part of their overall vacation cost, just as my visit to the San Diego Zoo (around $50) was several years ago.

https://www.ehdd.com/project/kansas-city-zoo-aquarium

The data is old but it mentions a possible location

https://www.kansascityzoo.org/aquarium/

I would love to know if the site mentioned in the video (and above on this page) is the actual spot picket

flyingember wrote: ↑Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:53 pm The data is old but it mentions a possible location

https://www.kansascityzoo.org/aquarium/

I would love to know if the site mentioned in the video (and above on this page) is the actual spot picket

I've always heard it would go into the valley that use to contain the bear pits?

An aquarium would be OK but I was hoping they would increase the number of species - the zoo lacks anything from North America. Increasing the number species would also make the interminable walks between some attractions more interesting. Even a Missouri wildlife exhibit of species that once inhabited the state would be welcome (especially since Elk and Black Bears have returned).

An Aquarium would no doubt be popular but it's almost another entire attraction altogether.

That’s why a season pass will continue to be the best option, not just for economic sake but also for multiple experiences. The new aquarium is planned to have more than few fish tanks and will include other species associated with the ocean, like sea otters. That will help to provide the increase in species (as will the fish) that you desire. The proposed location in/near the old “valley” area will also help to fill in the geographic gaps in the zoo layout.

Highlander wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2020 5:18 pm the zoo lacks anything from North America. Increasing the number species would also make the interminable walks between some attractions more interesting. Even a Missouri wildlife exhibit of species that once inhabited the state would be welcome (especially since Elk and Black Bears have returned).

There is a way to see a really well done exhibit of native animals just around the corner at the Lakeside Nature Center.


I would like to see a major Ozarks exhibit all the same and have it be part of a major footprint expansion to the north of Australia that also could enable behind the scenes on the kangaroo building. Access to buildings for winter animal access is one thing other zoos do better.

Many of the animals can be rescues to reduce the conservation impact. Instead of shooting a bear that gets too close to people bring it to the zoo

Can tell the story of the migration of armidillos